2024/2025 Continental Cup

[bv29]

Tomorrow starts first round with games in group A and B. Group A host is Sofia and group B estonian Narva.

In Narva it's between lithuanian Energija and host Narva PSK, while in group A Crvena Zvezda is clear favourite and should cakewalk into 2nd round.

Click to read more...

 

[FrHockeyFan]

Live stream for Group A is available for free on the BIHF streaming platform. As indicated on the IIHF website, registration is required.

IIHF - Live Streaming

Live Streaming

www.iihf.com

Nothing for Group B so far.

 

[SoundAndFury]

In Narva it's between lithuanian Energija and host Narva PSK

Energija should have a relatively easy time as well since the Estonian flagship team with a hint of professionalism - HC Panter - one that plays in the Baltic (Latvian) league, effectively didn't participate in the Estonian championship while Lithuanian teams that take part in the said league simply played for the Lithuanian title amongst themselves. So official Estonian champions - Narva - is actually a second-tier team.

For comparison's sake, Energija has 13 players who have represented Lithuanian men's NT in competition games at some point (6 of those in the most recent WC), while Narva has 4 such players, none of whom have played for it recently. Basically it's a team for Narva natives who were unable or unwilling to leave town.

If the Spanish champions Jaca bring the same team they had last year they should beat Narva with relative ease as well and be our main opponents. While their EP roster is inaccurate after some looking around their website it appears to be the case.

 

[FrHockeyFan]

while in group A Crvena Zvezda is clear favourite and should cakewalk into 2nd round.

Well, Crvena Zvezda is already on the backfoot following a close game. I guess the Belgians do fancy themselves having another shot going through to the next round.

 

[SoundAndFury]

It isn't that big of a surprise either, they have some impressive players for this level. One of their imports played in the French League Magnus just last season, another has solid seasons in Poland, Romania. That's the kind of players who would easily be leaders on the Serbian NT (pretty much exactly the same level as Mirko Djumic) while Red Star is a skimmed version of it.

 

[FrHockeyFan]

I can't say I am surprised. They did put on a strong performance last year in Latvia, even if they lost all 3 games. I remember Paulus, I believe, almost laughing from exhaustion next to Karsums standing quietly as they were holding off Zemgale and still trying to tie the game in the last seconds.

Not allowing myself to have a peak at Sisak vs Irbis game as it looks like it is pure slaughter.

Meanwhile, Jaca is quietly cruising against Narva. Decent loss for Skautafélag Reykjavikur to Energija.

 

[SoundAndFury]

Decent loss for Skautafélag Reykjavikur to Energija.

Energija scored twice in the first minute of the game and from that point on it looked like playing on battery-saving mode.

I'm glad Energija - Jaca game (most likely a decider) is tomorrow when teams are at least somewhat reasonably fit to play. Sunday games are usually just a pure struggle.